UNICEF: The Big Shoes of Amnesty International

Any deliberate attempt to X-ray the activities of international organizations in the country will negatively reveal the shaming behavioural switch of the supposed neutral bodies expected to promote peace within their host states but have condescended so low in deeds to trigger rancour and chaos perhaps to propagate their selfish sentiments.

Prior to the latest aberration, Amnesty International was renowned for being guilty as charged but on the recent count, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) borrowed the old dirty shoes of Amnesty International (AI) with peregrine character orchestrated to promote insurgency in Nigeria. However, unlike AI, UNICEF welcomed a timely lash when the military authorities slammed a mild hammer on the else while sour agents.

The statement announcing UNICEF’s suspension signed by the Theatre spokesperson, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu reads in part:

“It is alleged that UNICEF had shifted from its duty of catering to the wellbeing of children and the vulnerable through humanitarian activities and now engaged in training selected persons for clandestine activities,”.

According to Operation Lafiya Dole Command of the Nigerian Army, UNICEF was sabotaging the counter-terrorism efforts of troops through “spurious and unconfirmed allegations bothering on alleged violations of human rights by the military.”

Nwachukwu said, “The Theatre Command observed with dismay that some of the activities of international humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organisations operating in the North-East have left so much to be desired. There is credible information that some of them are indulging in unwholesome practices that could further jeopardise the fight against terrorism and insurgency, as they train and deploy spies who support the insurgents and their sympathisers.

“It is baffling to note that some of these organisations have been playing the terrorists’ script with the aim to continue demoralising the troops who are doing so much to protect the lives of victims of Boko Haram terrorism and safeguard them from the wanton destruction of property and the means of their livelihood.

“Consequently, the Theatre Command is suspending the operations of UNICEF in the North-East theatre until further notice. This has become inevitable since the organisation has abdicated its primary duty of catering for the well-being of children and the vulnerable through humanitarian activities and now engaged in training selected persons for clandestine activities to continue sabotaging the counter-terrorism efforts.

“Information within the reach of this Command specifically indicates that the organisation commenced the said training on Wednesday in Maiduguri and ended on Thursday. The Theatre Command will not tolerate this sabotage from any individual, group of persons or organisation.”

The suspension was however relaxed barely a day after it was announced perhaps in conjunction with civil military relations of the Nigerian Army, which is not enacted to enforce but to ensure compliance, fair reportage and promote peace. Be that as it may, UNICEF must desist from the attention seeking voyage they have learnt over time from the dubiously defined deviation of AI. To worsen the scenario, the various fake news manufactured by the mischief makers is enjoying readership by the gullible and semi illiterates based abroad.

UNICEF should not walk the same pathway with AI who lost relevance many year ago yet they striving to survive through unfair media reports to champion their evil desires. It is a pitiable cynosure to witness international organisations joining negative forces to fight the state. They should leave Nigerian troops to continue the good work that is ongoing.